Posted on by Alexie Linn

Profanity in Your Prose – Character Builder? Or Cop-Out?

Profanity in Your Prose – Character Builder? Or Cop-Out?

Do trash-mouthed characters move a story forward? In what way? What do we learn (or teach) from people who seem unable to make a statement or tell a story without vulgarities spewed throughout?

But a tale told without antagonists to spark action is boring to say the least. Not every character in life or fiction is polite, respectful, or happy.

What’s a writer to do?

How can an author build a foul-mouthed, mean, miserable character without spewing offensive expletives throughout the dialogue?

That is the mission of this post… To help you create characters with mind-blowing flaws but make the story reader-friendly and increase your readership base by doing it. It’s all part of the art of emotion-filled prose, my dear.

Do this: Use actions in place of words to build smutty, profanity spewing characters.

Can you love a character who trips handicapped people with their walking stick, cuts full school busses off in traffic, or bullies their way into the front of the line?

He made a fist, his forehead smooshed, he opened his mouth and I quit listening to his story… but trottted away to escape the hot air he spewed.

How about a character who flaunts their wealth while smirking in needy, fire-ravaged or tornado-flattened neighborhoods?

How lovable is a person who spits on the sidewalk in front of you?

What’s the character of a person who tosses litter (or puppies or people) out the door or window?

These are just a few of the ways to build a nasty character without ever having them waste valuable words that move the story forward every step of the way.

What action stabs your instant reject button for an individual in real life?

There is so much more to a person (or character) than the size of their vocabulary… If profanity is required to tell the story… is it a story or a rant?

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

Subscribe to my You Tube Channelto not miss a fun and entertaining Book Trailer. They’re short. They’re mesmerizing. And they won’t waste your time.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

A Day-to-Write?

A Day-to-Write?

At last! A day off the Tilt-a-Whirl called a summer job to get my latest wip (work in progress) past the first 3 paragraphs and the initial characters built…

The laptop is open and booted; the 5 email accounts have been addressed and emails deleted; my website stats are foreboding because there’s been no time to promote and sell either. Word is open. The Description, Cast of Characters, and Chapter One stare back at me. Now what?

My eyes gaze out the window at the tall pine forest that house the pointy-eared squirrels and jays I perch among. I toss a handful of peanuts in the shell out the gaping door for them to snack on and entertain me.

I add to my list of what I must do today – my only day-to-write before the 4th of July celebrators converge in full force.

What was I thinking? Where’s the time to write while I’m working?

I’m in it. The time is now. Right this minute. I switch gears to have a chinwag with myself, ‘This is not your first rodeo. With 30 odd books up and running – at least 80% written and published while working a fulltime managerial position – you can do this!’

Realizing this is my only ‘day-to-write’, I put this blog post on hold and switch to the Description page. Here’s the nutshell description:

Auctionhouse Murders – Description

Sally’s mother came for tea – 20 years after her death. The reason for the visit? To charge Sally with the task of clearing her mother (Sally’s Grandma Lydia) of three murders.

Then continuing with the ‘day-to-write’ attitude, here’s the opening chapter:

Sally the Loner Cracks the Case of the Auctionhouse Murders

“It’s true, Joany. She sat right there and ordered me to go solve those 75-year-old murders!” Sally leaned on the broom she was torturing with vigorous sweeping. “It makes no sense! But, my mama, the drama queen and director, will have her way.” She choked the broom handle and attacked the dust-free tile again, muttering.

“Auntie! You’re 87-years-old! The scene of the crimes is 1,800 miles away! The witnesses – if there were any – are long since dead.” She shook her head, her mouth gaping at her spunky aunt. “How do you plan to fulfill her wishes? Better yet, what will happen if you just let it go?”

Sally leaned on the abused broom again, “Hmmph! Oh, Joany girl.” She spoke succinctly, “She’s my mother. She WILL have her way.”

Joan threw her hands up into the air, “Alright then. What’s the plan? I’m not letting you get into this alone.”

Sally leaned the broom into the corner, plonked on the chair next to Joan, smiling. “Good girl.” Yanking a notepad and pencil out of her apron pocket, “Here’s what I was thinking…”

What do you think? A bestseller that you can’t wait to pre-order?

And how are you coming with your own bestseller? Grab the time. Hi-jack the moment. And get ‘er done!

Plus! In case you missed it…

Did you get the memo on ‘Adventures in Retort Canning’? Did you know you always wanted to know about that? Check it out!

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

Subscribe to my You Tube Channelto not miss a fun and entertaining Book Trailer. They’re short. They’re mesmerizing. And they won’t waste your time.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Adventures in Retort Canning — 2nd Edition — New and Improved

Need quality ready-to-eat, yummy food at your fingertips? Have you heard of Retort Canning?

What if you could make a family reunion-size pot of stew and eat from it over months without preparing it all over again?

Is there more? Yes, there is!

Master your health goals! Improve your quality of life! Overcome ‘There’s Nothing Good (EASY) to Eat” syndrome – One delectable meal at a time. Read on for more about Retort Canning…

You can. I did. And here’s how I did it.

In E-book and Print

It’s called ‘Retort Canning’.

Armed with this book you can:

  • Make your own Meals-Ready-to-Eat
  • Travel light.
  • Be in control of your diet

And if that’s not enough…

  • Save money
  • Save time
  • Reduce trash in your landfill

Start living your best life possible. Pick up your copy of ‘Adventures in Retort Canning’ by clicking BUY NOW below – before the price goes up.

BUY NOW at Amazon….

And while you’re here…

Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

Subscribe to my You Tube Channelto not miss a fun and entertaining Book Trailer. They’re short. They’re mesmerizing. And they won’t waste your time.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Oops! Did I do that? Website Frenzy Exposed

Oops! Did I do that? Website Frenzy Exposed

Apparently, I did. Because nobody else is responsible for my website. What did I do? Or not do as this case may be…

Your Website is your storefront…

I posted a book with no link to learn more and buy it. Kind of like placing the can of cat’s food in their bowl without opening it – then leaving for two days.

I have lots of excuses – including ‘senior moment’ – but it doesn’t matter. I embarrassed myself and frustrated possible readers by not finishing the business at hand. Maintaining my website.

Your website is your store front.

Your website needs to:

  • Be focused on what you’re selling – as an author, your books are your bells and whistles. Not the attention grabbers that will snag your visitors and pull them off your site.
  • Be attention grabbing without bribes. If you distract your buyers with an abundance of free stuff for signing up, you’ll get sign-ups for the freebies. And that’s it. Setting up and maintaining a mailing list is great. But consider these three things first:
    • The time and energy required to write and put into play the freebies.
    • The time and energy to continually feed your email list posts of more freebies.
    • The time and energy to keep your email list viable. The people who actually want to know about your new book – and will buy it. The number of ‘clickers’ makes all the difference in ranking. Non-clickers must be eliminated for better rankings across the board. There are other ways to keep bona fide readers informed. See the P.S. below for other ways…
  • Be easy to find – Keep your domain name simple, easy to remember, and easy to type into a browser. It should match your author name or something that appears on each and every book you write.
  • Be easy to maintain — Post a book cover; link it to the description page; include the link to BUY NOW. Simple – if you don’t get distracted.
  • Be affordable – I don’t affiliate with even one website provider. The reason? So far, in my tenure as a several websites owner/maintainer/operator, only one gave me the real cost up front of owning/renting the site. And they don’t offer affiliate links. It’s this one… the simplicity of WordPress.com for my simple (?) little AlexieLinnAuthor.com business. Find the real and true cost of a website before you build it just to get a gut punching surprise at every billing cycle.

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

Subscribe to my You Tube Channelto not miss a fun and entertaining Book Trailer. They’re short. They’re mesmerizing. And they won’t waste your time.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Writing is Fun and Easy! Is there More To It?

Writing is the Fun and Easy Part! But Is There More To It?

If my treasured coffee mug wasn’t ‘Joan’s Dazzling Mug’, it would be the ‘I’d Rather Be Writing’ mug.

Writing engulfs, excites, and challenges my brain. The other steps of being a professional in my craft irritates and frustrates me. But it must be done if my creations are to entertain and fill a need in someone else’s life.

What’s the process when the current book has passed its almost final edit? Is it time to succumb to the call of the chaise lounge and bon-bons? Hmm… not quite. There’s still a few chores to complete before I can say ‘finis!’. So, onward with the to-do list of what this indie publisher does just before and when the writing is done…

First, remind yourself that ‘Writing is Fun and Easy’!

  • Share the news that a new read is on the way through social media and your email list (at least 3 times).
  • Final edit and format the manuscript for the intended market (Ebook, print, screen…)
  • Write the description – a long one and a short one.
  • Design and build a cover – I use Canva but there are others to choose from, including hiring others. Ask Google for a million leads.
  • Share the news that a new book is on the way again.
  • Upload to the marketplace(s) – currently Amazon and Draft 2 Digital for me.
  • Post the news that a new book is up and running.
  • Set-up the advertising you choose to get your book in the face of prospective readers – Amazon ‘Sponsored’ for one.
  • Write the narration version for the audiobook, don’t forget the minimum 1-minute to maximum 5-minute retail sample after ‘The End’.

Say again that ‘Writing is Fun and Easy!’

  • Be sure Goodreads has picked it up (set-up your Goodreads account if you haven’t already done so) and set the giveaways to run.
  • Collect the ‘additional categories’ your book should be listed in if Amazon Kindle is one of your marketplaces. I use Publisher Rocket (Competition Analyzer then Unleash the Categories) for this to save myself 62 hours of research headache.
  • Request (in Amazon Author Central) that your book be added to the additional categories you collected. Please be sure the additional categories are applicable to your book.
  • Post your book to the Audiobook service you use to get it narrated. My choice is ACX, but there are others.

One more time… ‘Writing is Fun and Easy!’

  • Post the book and description and purchasing links to your website.
  • Blog about the book.
  • Respond to any comments or requests that arrive.
  • Check your website stats to see what is getting attention through what source and expand on what’s working.
  • Learn more about promoting and selling, including a You Tube book trailer video. Here’s an example.
  • Take a breath… Ahhhh…
  • Start your next book if you haven’t already.

And there ya’ are. Done! Bring on the chaise lounge and bon-bons! I’m pooped.

But remember that ‘Writing is Fun and Easy!’

Next!

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Is Spelling and Grammar Your Friend?

Is Spelling and Grammar You Friend? Did you catch that? Did you stop reading and want to fix it?

I have great news! You don’t have to. And you don’t have to be an English teacher to write a top-notch book. But you do have to know how to present a clean, clear, reader-friendly story to get top-notch reviews.

Coming up is two easy ways to polish your ‘spelling and grammar’ for clarity and happy readers.

But first I’ll tell you a story of my own about a book I just paid money for and read.

Is Spelling and Grammar You Friend?

The book promised to show me how to write, publish, and sell videobooks. There were two major problems:

  1. It was really a book of links and how-to’s for ranking on You Tube and Google. And promoting his choices of editors and producers.
  2. The spelling was so bad that I had to stop reading to figure out what the author was saying… like ‘you’ for ‘your’. SEO doesn’t call these STOP words, but I do. I had to continually stop learning and rewrite the sentence to understand what he meant to say.

The result of these problems?

I’ll give his book 3 stars because he did have some good points in the how-to’s. But I’ll take off one star for the not giving what he promised in the title and description. And deduct another star for the spelling and grammar.

AND I feel cheated; ripped off; defrauded. I won’t buy another book by this author. That’s significant and crucial. I can’t trust him to keep his promise.

Having gotten that rant off my chest, here’s the two easy methods to rid your story of my personal ‘STOP’ words.

1. Your word processing program has ‘spelling and grammar’ checks as well as ‘readability’ scores and wordcounts.

I currently write in Word. The ‘Review’ tab is where I find ‘Spelling and Grammar’ check for the entire document. It does the work. You and I reap the rewards. Easy Peasy and how I’ve earned the ‘Quality Book Award’. Have you found and used your spell-check yet?

2. Hemingway gives ‘readability’ scores by grade level and more.

I suggest Hemingway because it offers a free version that’s quick and easy to check for adverbs, passive words, and hard-to-read sentences. But there are more to choose from if you want to spiral deeper into grammar.

One is Pro Writing Aid and another is Grammarly. Both of these also have a free version. Check them out and go with what works best for you. But do something to encourage reader-friendly prose.

Sadly, I can’t suggest a quick and easy program to give you a heads-up for an on-point title and description.  That’s one you’ll have to figure out on your own. But please do that, too. Perhaps a beta reader that will give you quality feedback… another human? If you’re a one-person show, let your manuscript cool; step outside of it; and answer the questions from a new perspective.

Do I feel better now? Only if I’ve helped you see how important ‘spelling and grammar’ and on-point titles and descriptions are. Have I painted the picture in enough detail?

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Scarecrow Invents Bully-Stones

Scarecrow invents bully-stones…

How this story came to be…

Having to enter at least 12 new schools in 12 new neighborhoods, I remember the bullies the most and feared them daily… Until I invented by own make-believe ray gun and disintegrated them. I fear them no more. And that’s what I hope your child will take from this story. How to conquer fear using their imagination.

Available in Ebook, Print, and coming soon to Audible

Here’s the story…

Bullies rule in Princess Molly’s town. Princess Molly is afraid of the bullies.

How can Scarecrow and Road-builder Lucas conquer the bullies in the town? Can they change the town to a kind and caring town? A town where scarecrows are loved and bullies never enter?

Download or Order Scarecrow Invents Bully-Stones
here from Amazon

Or from here at your favorite retailer (coming soon)

And please take a moment to post your likes about this book here.

Oh! Just one more thing…

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Holy Tornados, Batman! Where’d the Time-to-Write Go?

Holy Tornados, Batman! Where’d the time go?

Does this ever happen to you?

I climbed out of bed 5-minutes ago; got dressed for productive writing; started the coffee; booted the laptop; lit Mr. Heater… No wait… I climbed out of bed 32-minutes ago…

The good news is that the coffee is brewed; Word is updating; Wifi gigs have been added; and I’m staring at this blog post template… wondering what inspiring prose I’m going to share about time management.

Snagging time-to-write is a feat to be conquered daily. Thirty-some books later, here’s what I’ve learned:

  1. Nobody’s going to do it for you
  2. Nobody’s going to do it for you
  3. And, in case you missed the memo; Nobody’s going to do it for you

You get to decide:

Make Time-To-Write
  • When your most productive time to string words on paper is
    • Morning
    • Afternoon
    • Evening
    • Night
  • Where you’re the most productive word stringer
    • At a desk
    • Poolside
    • In bed
  • How your tale goes together
    • Beginning; Middle; or End first
    • From an outline (skeleton or detailed)
    • Description first then fill in the blanks
  • And your most productive writing style
    • Word-by-word; line-by-line; editing as you go
    • 5,000 words a day of gibberish that you then edit, edit, edit
    • A chapter a day… maybe two or three…

Then follow through with what works for you.

The key to my time-to-write productivity is:

  • 2-8 AM. It’s dark and the only interruptions are the mechanics of computer and internet; the wind flapping a tarp; and the rain pelting or whispering on the roof. Okay, maybe a coyote howling or dogs barking at something out of place. But the long-term persona breakers of people, telephones, and outside activity is quelled.
  • At a desk (or kitchen table).
  • From a skeleton outline – then a description.
  • 1k to 2k words a day with rough edits along the way.

It’s on me to make this time and place available. If I have to get snippy to do it, then so be it. Creating stories that teach, give a laugh, and entertain is fulfilling a critically important purpose in my life. And everyone else’s I can touch through my books.

Ditto for you and your publishing endeavors.

Don’t let anybody (including your own thoughts) through their words or actions, tell you your time-to-write isn’t important.

This doesn’t mean I’m a drill Sargent, although I’ve been accused of being one when it comes to my time-to-write (and a few other things). But I get more growls than salutes while those barger-inners succumb to my wishes.

Of course, there are days I don’t boot the computer or write a word. But not many. And when I’m between books, I tend to the business of being an author… promoting; writing blogs; researching; paying the bills. But I still start the day with a pot of fresh, hot coffee. And the written in stone determination is the same. I’m a writer! Prove it!

On that note… Whether you’re writing Your Fascinating Family History or The Scarecrow Who Was Afraid of Birds, making the time to get it done is paramount to you and your readers. Just do it! 😊

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

How To Publish on D2D

How To Self (Indie) Publish on Draft 2 Digital

The Draft 2 Digital publishing platform couldn’t be easier. Really.

It costs you nothing, zero, nada, to publish on D2D. It’s free to sign-up and free to publish. Royalty payments to you are paid monthly for most distributors. My royalties are deposited right into Paypal. No fuss, no muss. It just happens. Yay!

Once you sign-up, it’s a simple step-by-step process to upload your story, including Style choices that D2D applies to your manuscript.
alexielinnauthor..com

Your upload then appears magically in oodles of Ebook markets like Barnes and Noble, Scribd, Hoopla, and so on and so on. Including Amazon.

One critical note:

If you upload separately to Amazon Kindle, do not select the KDP Select program. If you enroll your book in the KDP Select program, you cannot offer the same book anywhere else but through Amazon.

D2D also works with Findaway Voices to offer your book as an Audiobook. AND Print books are in the near future… but as a sign-up for the Beta Print List at this writing.

D2D and Smashwords are becoming joined. I will not include Smashwords sign-up anywhere in this site.

If I had to choose only one publishing platform, it would be D2D because its markets are so profuse. But I use both D2D and Amazon Kindle to grab as many reader’s attention as I can.

Sign-up here for Draft 2 Digital indie publishing.

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S.  Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks……Free Audiobooks…..

Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.

The easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

BUT! If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Posted on by Alexie Linn

Publisher Rocket Saves the Day

Sales and Promotion – Amazon KDP

What’s KDP? KDP is an acronym for Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s indie publishing platform. It’s easy to sign up and upload your indie books to KDP.

Amazon’s KDP is a huge market with a gargantuan membership to get your book(s) in front of!

Competition to get your book found is astronomical. But there are a couple of options to help close the gap and get your works discovered by interested readers.

It’s called promote and advertise. And it’s title specific.

Access the promote and advertise link through each of your published books that you want to promote in your KDP bookshelf.

When you click the promote and advertise link inside the promote and advertise section, it takes you to a page where you can choose to run a price promotion or an ad campaign.

While I do give away books to avid readers and reviewers, Amazon is not my chosen medium for giveaways. Amazon is the place I want to have them flash before reader’s eyes time after time after time. I skip the price promotion and choose the ‘ad campaign’. This is the method that puts your book in the ‘You might also like’ ribbon sections of a product the customer is perusing.

Where your book shows up in the ribbon is based on your bid for clicks. High bids per click come first. Lowest bids per click come in at the end. You pay by the click, not by the impression (aka flash). Get the picture?

What products your covers show up in the ribbon for is determined by keywords and/or other book ASIN’s that you can choose.

How do I choose which keywords or products?

I found a great little program that saves me hours and days of making lists from online research. Dave, the KDP Guru that I’m so glad I found, also offers several lessons – both free and paid – to show you how to be proficient at running an effective KDP ad campaign.

I love the program so much that I affiliated with Dave, the KDP Guru, to offer it to you right here in this post.

The program is called ‘Publisher Rocket’.

Publisher Rocket literally saved me hours and days of research, compiling, sorting and typing.

It’s easy to use… type a word; click, sort and download. Voila! A viable list of keywords and applicable book ASINs appear. You simply copy and paste to your KDP campaign. Pffft… it’s so easy-peasy. And you can  Get Publisher Rocket here.

Incidentally, I don’t run ad campaigns for all of my books. I run campaigns for one book from each series and trade them out for different covers after a time. This gives me a better handle on what gets buyers attention and saves me oodles of time and money.

When I started promoting with ad campaigns, my books got found and bought on Amazon.

Before Publisher Rocket and KDP Ad Campaigns, grabbing reader’s attention was like pulling hen’s teeth .

I’m still not a millionaire, but I’m closer to becoming one.

On that note…

Happy Trails and Tales,

Alexie Linn

P.S. Since this new, finely focused blog is just getting started, the easiest way to get updates is to follow this blog and  follow me on Facebook.  New posts should appear on the Alexie Linn page – if I’ve held my mouth right… 😊

If you only want updates and pre-order deals of new releases of Books, Vellas and Audibles, the easiest way is to follow me on Amazon. When you get an email notice of a new book release, simply ask for it by the title – or for all the Alexie Linn authored titles at your favorite retailer.

And just one more thing. Here’s where to find and follow me on Goodreads. Please do to get in on all that Goodreads has to offer. Goodreads is always at the very best price. It’s FREE!

Oops! Another ‘One More Thing’… Click here to join our Audible Lovers Cornucopia group. It’s free and where you’ll find links to Free Audibles for your listening and reviewing pleasure.